Map Tile Coasters

So now that I’ve finished my CPA exams (hopefully, I feel its necessary to add the ‘hopefully’ so I don’t jinx myself before I get my score back), I have so much free time. I’m in this awkward limbo before work starts where I literally have nothing that needs to get done. And by awkward I mean awesome. I can wake up, do some crafts, bake a little, watch some bad TV… Can you say perfect? In my apartment we’re calling this period of limbo “Pinterest October.” Ever since we moved in I’ve been claiming that I’m going to bake a ton and decorate our apartment with lots of crafts, however, studying definitely got in the way, so now’s the time. Decorating on the cheap is my thing. I’m the type of girl who walks into Anthropologie, heads straight to the sale room, and tries to figure out how I can make their products myself since they’re still too expensive. I like to create decorations and personalize my home with crafts. I always feel more attached to my possessions when I’ve made them because they mean something to me. So far I’ve made some coasters, trivets, soap dispensers, mustache mugs… and trust me I’ve got plenty more crafts to do before I start work at the end of the month. So, starting today, I will begin featuring some of the crafts I have made, in addition to what I’m cooking up in the kitchen.

I’m starting with these awesome map tile coasters. These coasters are about as cheap as you can get in terms of crafts. I bought some white 4” x 4” tiles at Home Depot for around $.13 a piece and an atlas at a garage sale for $.25. Even better was when I was in my parents’ basement the other day and found about 60 more of the same tiles that they had used for their bathroom 10 years ago. Free tiles woo! The only expensive part is the Mod Podge and the clear acrylic sealer but I use those for a ton of projects so in the long run it’s not too bad. Plus, make sure you use a coupon at Joann’s or Michael’s for the Mod Podge and then it’s only about $4 or $5. I used Krylon clear acrylic sealer spray paint and I found it at Home Depot.

I made these coasters for my Aunt’s birthday. I chose some places that were meaningful to her and her husband: where they grew up, where they each went to college, where they got married, where they live now, where they like to go in the summer… I’m planning on making some for my house as well where I’ll use sections of the map for where each of us grew up.. Illinois, Wisconsin, and Maryland, and where we all met at school in Madison, WI. I really like how much you can personalize these coasters and instead of just doing a design, you can do something that is meaningful for the recipient.

In my eyes, inexpensive + personal = the perfect craft.

Supplies:

4″ x 4″ white bathroom tiles

squares of a map ( I did a 3.75″ square, but place it on your tile beforehand to make sure you like it)

Mod podge

foam brush

Clear acrylic sealer (I used Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic sealer)

felt squares, about 1/2 to 1 inch wide

Directions:

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the tile. Carefully place the map square on the tile. If you’re leaving a border, make sure that it’s positioned exactly how you want it to be. Apply another thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the map square. Let it dry completely. The way I would do this is do a thin layer at night, let it dry over night, do a layer in the morning, let it dry throughout the day, then repeat at night. I did this so that I got about 4 coats. I didn’t want to leave any chance that the Mod Podge would be sticky, since I’ve read that Mod Podge could take up to month to fully dry. So after 4 or so coats, let it dry completely, then take it to a well ventilated area and spray with the acrylic sealer (Remember to shake well before using, and in between uses). Do about 4-5 coats, waiting 10-15 minutes in between. Let dry overnight. With hot glue, glue 4 felt squares to the bottom corners of each coaster. Let dry.

Note: These coasters are only for cold beverages, hot beverages will not work as it will make the coaster sticky. I’m currently looking for a way to make these coasters work with hot beverages. If you have any input, feel free to comment!